Making French Fries From Scratch Using An Air Fryer

Making fries from fresh potatoes in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, with the added bonus of less mess and grease. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, cooking it more quickly than a traditional oven and helping to create a crispy exterior without the need for extra oil.

Choosing the right potato

The secret to perfectly cooked French fries is using the right potatoes. While you may think all potatoes are created equal, certain types of potatoes are better suited for frying. When choosing the best potatoes for fresh-cut French fries, opt for high-starch potatoes. The clear winners are Idaho or russet potatoes. These potatoes are dense and have less moisture, which is key to avoiding soggy fries. Russets are the best potatoes for French fries. They have thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh, so they maintain their shape at high temperatures and emerge from the air fryer with crispy exteriors and soft, tender insides. Their oval shape is also good for making long French or steak fries.

You can also use Yukon gold potatoes, which are an all-purpose potato that can be used for frying. They turned out good-quality fries, but the Russets are clearly the superior potato for frying.

You should avoid waxy, high-moisture potatoes like red-skinned, new, or fingerling potatoes. Their high moisture and sugar content make them unsuitable for deep frying. The resulting fries will be limp and soggy and can darken too quickly.

Preparing the potatoes

Start by selecting the right type of potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best choice for French fries due to their thick skins and starchy, fluffy flesh. They maintain their shape at high temperatures and produce crispy exteriors and soft, tender insides. Alternatively, you can use Yukon gold potatoes, which will give your fries a creamier centre.

Wash the potatoes thoroughly, and decide whether to keep the skins on or peel them. Leaving the skins on adds more flavour, a great crispy texture, and additional fibre and nutrients. It also saves time! However, if you prefer a smoother texture, you can peel the potatoes.

Cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces, about 1/4-inch thick. This will ensure that all the fries cook at the same rate. You can cut them into 1/4-inch slices and then cut these into 1/4-inch sticks. Try to make sure all the strands are the same size for even cooking.

Rinse the cut potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. This step is important as it helps to achieve the coveted French fry crispiness and prevents the fries from sticking together. You can also soak the cut potatoes in cold water for an hour or even up to 24 hours for extra-crunchy fries. If you do soak them, be sure to pat them completely dry before proceeding to the next step.

Add the fries to a large bowl and drizzle them with oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Toss the fries to ensure they are evenly coated.

Season the fries with salt and pepper, and any other seasonings of your choice. You can add garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, or any other spices you like. Just be sure to season the potatoes just before air frying them, as adding salt too early will draw out moisture and affect the crispiness of the fries.

Now your potatoes are ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Spread the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for air fryer fries will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the thickness of your fries, and your personal preference for how crispy you like them. In general, air fryer fries will take between 12 and 20 minutes to cook at temperatures between 375 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries. Toss the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each fry. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. If your fries are not crispy after 15 minutes, continue cooking in one-minute increments until they reach your desired level of doneness.
• Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your potatoes into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick fries. Soak the cut potatoes in ice water for at least one hour or up to 24 hours. Remove the potatoes from the water and pat them completely dry. Toss the potatoes with oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and set the timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, toss the potatoes to redistribute them in the basket. Fry for another 10 to 12 minutes, until they start to look dry and crispy.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries. Rinse the potatoes with cold water and pat them dry. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 14 to 16 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your potatoes into 1/4-inch thick fries. Rinse the potatoes with cold water and pat them dry. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Toss the potatoes and cook for an additional 6 to 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your potatoes into fries of your desired thickness. Soak the potatoes in cold water for one hour, then drain and pat them dry. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are all on the same level. Air fry for 13 to 20 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.

Remember to always refer to the instructions that came with your specific air fryer model, as cooking times and temperatures can vary between different models.

Seasoning

The seasoning is a key part of making delicious French fries in an air fryer. Here are some tips and suggestions for seasoning your fries:

• Salt is a classic seasoning for French fries and can be added before or after cooking. If you add salt before air frying, make sure to do it just before, as salt draws moisture out of the potatoes, which can affect crispiness.
• Black pepper is another standard seasoning that can be added to taste.
• Paprika is a great way to add a little extra flavour and colour to your fries.
• Garlic powder will give your fries a delicious garlicky kick.
• Onion powder can also be used to add an onion-y flavour to your fries.
• For a rustic French twist, try using Herbes de Provence salt.
• For a spicy kick, sprinkle some Cajun seasoning over your fries.
• For Greek-style fries, add a teaspoon of dried oregano before air frying, and serve topped with crumbled feta.
• Get creative and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs to find your perfect seasoning blend.
• Don't be afraid to season generously! Fries are a great canvas for bold flavours.
• If you want to keep things simple, just a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper can be enough to enhance the natural flavour of the potatoes.

Dipping sauces

There are many different sauces that you can use to dip your air fryer fries in. Here are some ideas:

Fry Sauce

This is a creamy, tangy sauce that originated in Utah. It is typically made with a combination of mayonnaise and ketchup, with additional flavourings such as vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, hot sauce, or spices. It is perfect for dipping fries and has a tangy and creamy taste.

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper until you are happy with the taste. You can adjust the ingredient quantities to your preference, adding more ketchup for sweetness or more vinegar for tanginess.

Other Dipping Sauces

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Chipotle sauce
• Chimichurri
• Vegan cheese
• Ranch dressing
• Garlic aioli
• BBQ sauce
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Chilli con carne
• Guacamole

Frequently asked questions